Monday
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. - Mark 1:1 ESV
The Journey Begins
A Sunday school teacher was giving her class the assignment for the next week. “Next Sunday,” she said, “we are going to talk about liars, and in preparation for our lesson I want you all to read the seventeenth chapter of Mark.” The following week, at the beginning of the class meeting, the teacher said, “Now then, all of you who have prepared for the lesson by reading the seventeenth chapter of Mark, please step to the front of the room.” About half the class rose and came forward. “The rest of you may leave,” said the teacher, “these students are the ones I want to talk to. There is no seventeenth chapter in the Book of Mark.” (Source: Unknown)
Mark’s gospel gets right to the point in chapter 1. Mark is the first of the Gospel writers to use the term “gospel.” The word “gospel” means good news. Mark starts the beginning of the gospel with the baptism of Jesus and the launch of His earthly ministry. The other writers of the New Testament adapted the term gospel as God's message of salvation for the lost.
Reflection
What stood out to you from Pastor Jim’s message that makes the gospel of Mark unique? What good news did you hear in the sermon?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for sending you the good news of salvation. Ask God to lead you to someone this week who needs to hear it.
The Journey Begins
A Sunday school teacher was giving her class the assignment for the next week. “Next Sunday,” she said, “we are going to talk about liars, and in preparation for our lesson I want you all to read the seventeenth chapter of Mark.” The following week, at the beginning of the class meeting, the teacher said, “Now then, all of you who have prepared for the lesson by reading the seventeenth chapter of Mark, please step to the front of the room.” About half the class rose and came forward. “The rest of you may leave,” said the teacher, “these students are the ones I want to talk to. There is no seventeenth chapter in the Book of Mark.” (Source: Unknown)
Mark’s gospel gets right to the point in chapter 1. Mark is the first of the Gospel writers to use the term “gospel.” The word “gospel” means good news. Mark starts the beginning of the gospel with the baptism of Jesus and the launch of His earthly ministry. The other writers of the New Testament adapted the term gospel as God's message of salvation for the lost.
Reflection
What stood out to you from Pastor Jim’s message that makes the gospel of Mark unique? What good news did you hear in the sermon?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for sending you the good news of salvation. Ask God to lead you to someone this week who needs to hear it.
Tuesday
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. - Mark 1:1 ESV
Who Jesus Is. He is the Perfect Son of God
A little 9-year-old girl came home from VBS one day. She proudly told her parents and little brother that, "Jesus is living in my heart now!" Mom and Dad were so proud, and made a big deal out of it. Later that day, her little brother said something she didn’t like, and she hauled off and knocked the soup out of him! He didn’t know much about church, but he knew a Christian shouldn’t act like that! He said, "I thought you said Jesus was living in your heart?" She replied, "He is, but He’s asleep right now!" (Tim Huie)
In the Christmas story, we heard, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Mark identified Him as Jesus, meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” Mark also affirmed that Jesus was in fact the Son of God. The gospel is God’s good word, faithful and true, about His Son Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Where were you in life when you first began to understand that Jesus is the Son of God? How has that understanding changed your life?
Praise/Prayer
Praise Jesus as the only beloved Son of God. Ask God to remind you of all the benefits that come from being a part of His family.
Who Jesus Is. He is the Perfect Son of God
A little 9-year-old girl came home from VBS one day. She proudly told her parents and little brother that, "Jesus is living in my heart now!" Mom and Dad were so proud, and made a big deal out of it. Later that day, her little brother said something she didn’t like, and she hauled off and knocked the soup out of him! He didn’t know much about church, but he knew a Christian shouldn’t act like that! He said, "I thought you said Jesus was living in your heart?" She replied, "He is, but He’s asleep right now!" (Tim Huie)
In the Christmas story, we heard, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Mark identified Him as Jesus, meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” Mark also affirmed that Jesus was in fact the Son of God. The gospel is God’s good word, faithful and true, about His Son Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Where were you in life when you first began to understand that Jesus is the Son of God? How has that understanding changed your life?
Praise/Prayer
Praise Jesus as the only beloved Son of God. Ask God to remind you of all the benefits that come from being a part of His family.
Wednesday
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” - Mark 1:2-3 ESV
Who Jesus Is. He is the Promised Messiah
When a king would visit a neighboring city or country, it first had to be determined that there was a proper highway for the king to travel. If a proper highway were not found, then that highway would first be built and then the king would travel there. John the Baptist’s ministry was the preparing of the highway for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to come.
Mark begins his gospel account by quoting from two Old Testament prophets. First, Malachi, who spoke of God’s messenger in Malachi 3:1. John the Baptist is that messenger who fulfills that prophesy. Second, Isaiah who spoke of God’s way being prepared in Isaiah 40:3. The gospel of Christ is simply and plainly the fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures. From Genesis through Malachi we see the event foretold again and again with constantly increasing clarity. The promise was made to Adam, renewed to the patriarchs, and repeated to the prophets that the Redeemer would come.
Reflection
John the Baptist was leading people to prepare their hearts for Jesus. What is the spiritual condition of your heart today?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for so clearly fulfilling prophecy and keeping His promise to us. Ask God to show you any areas of your heart that are not receptive to His lordship today.
Who Jesus Is. He is the Promised Messiah
When a king would visit a neighboring city or country, it first had to be determined that there was a proper highway for the king to travel. If a proper highway were not found, then that highway would first be built and then the king would travel there. John the Baptist’s ministry was the preparing of the highway for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to come.
Mark begins his gospel account by quoting from two Old Testament prophets. First, Malachi, who spoke of God’s messenger in Malachi 3:1. John the Baptist is that messenger who fulfills that prophesy. Second, Isaiah who spoke of God’s way being prepared in Isaiah 40:3. The gospel of Christ is simply and plainly the fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures. From Genesis through Malachi we see the event foretold again and again with constantly increasing clarity. The promise was made to Adam, renewed to the patriarchs, and repeated to the prophets that the Redeemer would come.
Reflection
John the Baptist was leading people to prepare their hearts for Jesus. What is the spiritual condition of your heart today?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for so clearly fulfilling prophecy and keeping His promise to us. Ask God to show you any areas of your heart that are not receptive to His lordship today.
Thursday
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. - Mark 1:12-13 ESV
What Jesus Did: Jesus Obeyed and Overcame
"Son," ordered a father, "Don't swim in that canal." "OK, Dad," he answered. But he came home carrying a wet bathing suit that evening. "Where have you been?" demanded the father. "Swimming in the canal," answered the boy. "Didn't I tell you not to swim there?" asked the father. "Yes, Sir," answered the boy. "Why did you?" he asked. "Well, Dad," he explained, "I had my bathing suit with me and I couldn't resist the temptation." "Why did you take your bathing suit with you?" he questioned. "So I'd be prepared to swim in case I was tempted," he replied. (Source: Unknown)
Jesus resisted the worst temptations Satan had to offer. Jesus obeyed the Spirit and was led into the wilderness. During those forty days, Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan. Because Jesus lived a Spirit-filled life, He was able to resist the temptation. He only went and did what the Father wanted Him to do and what the Spirit empowered Him to do.
Reflection
Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted and promises to provide a way to escape. What temptation do you struggle with the most? What way of escape is Jesus providing you?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for placing His Spirit in you when you were saved. Ask God to lead you today and show you the way out of any temptations you are struggling with.
What Jesus Did: Jesus Obeyed and Overcame
"Son," ordered a father, "Don't swim in that canal." "OK, Dad," he answered. But he came home carrying a wet bathing suit that evening. "Where have you been?" demanded the father. "Swimming in the canal," answered the boy. "Didn't I tell you not to swim there?" asked the father. "Yes, Sir," answered the boy. "Why did you?" he asked. "Well, Dad," he explained, "I had my bathing suit with me and I couldn't resist the temptation." "Why did you take your bathing suit with you?" he questioned. "So I'd be prepared to swim in case I was tempted," he replied. (Source: Unknown)
Jesus resisted the worst temptations Satan had to offer. Jesus obeyed the Spirit and was led into the wilderness. During those forty days, Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan. Because Jesus lived a Spirit-filled life, He was able to resist the temptation. He only went and did what the Father wanted Him to do and what the Spirit empowered Him to do.
Reflection
Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted and promises to provide a way to escape. What temptation do you struggle with the most? What way of escape is Jesus providing you?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for placing His Spirit in you when you were saved. Ask God to lead you today and show you the way out of any temptations you are struggling with.
Friday
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” - Mark 1:14-15 ESV
What Jesus Said
In N.T. Wright’s book, Surprised by Scripture, he writes about how Christ came to fulfill the law and how this changes the interpretation of the Old Testament for Christians. “When travelers sail across a vast ocean and finally arrive on the distant shore, they leave the ship behind and continue over land, not because the ship was no good, or because their voyage had been misguided, but precisely because both ship and voyage had accomplished their purpose.”
Jesus started His preaching ministry by saying “The time is fulfilled.” Everything was in place for the fulfillment of the sacrificial system and for Him to die for our sins so we could be saved and promised a place in His Kingdom. Jesus then said it’s time for people to repent and believe the gospel.
Reflection
God’s timing is perfect. God desires all people everywhere to be saved but they must first repent and believe. God has chosen you to be a part of spreading the Good News. Who shared it with you and who have you shared it recently?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the beauty of the Old Testament and the fullment of prophecies and coming of Jesus. Thank God for those who shared the Good News with you. Pray for opportunities to share it with others.
What Jesus Said
In N.T. Wright’s book, Surprised by Scripture, he writes about how Christ came to fulfill the law and how this changes the interpretation of the Old Testament for Christians. “When travelers sail across a vast ocean and finally arrive on the distant shore, they leave the ship behind and continue over land, not because the ship was no good, or because their voyage had been misguided, but precisely because both ship and voyage had accomplished their purpose.”
Jesus started His preaching ministry by saying “The time is fulfilled.” Everything was in place for the fulfillment of the sacrificial system and for Him to die for our sins so we could be saved and promised a place in His Kingdom. Jesus then said it’s time for people to repent and believe the gospel.
Reflection
God’s timing is perfect. God desires all people everywhere to be saved but they must first repent and believe. God has chosen you to be a part of spreading the Good News. Who shared it with you and who have you shared it recently?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the beauty of the Old Testament and the fullment of prophecies and coming of Jesus. Thank God for those who shared the Good News with you. Pray for opportunities to share it with others.
Posted in The Gospel of Mark: A Journey with Jesus
Recent
Archive
2024
2023
July
Categories
Tags
no tags